The Malta ‘A’ national team and the Under-21 side will both be in action on Friday evening at the National Stadium as the senior side faces Cape Verde in an international friendly match while the Under-21 team faces Belgium in a UEFA Under-21 Championship qualifier.
For the senior side, the friendly match against Cape Verde, this will be an important test ahead of next week’s 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Sweden. 
After a series of disappointing results, Malta returned to winning ways in the friendly match against Georgia in mid-August when a brace by Michael Mifsud gave the boys in red a 2-0 win.
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, MFA president Dr Joe Mifsud said that the association always aimed at giving the team the best possible preparation ahead of qualifiers and was in fact one of the few teams to make full use of the days reserved for international matches, including friendly matches whenever there are no qualifiers scheduled for those days.
He said the game against Cape Verde should be a good test for the national team considering that most of the Cape Verde players are based abroad.
The MFA president revealed that several hundreds of Swedish supporters will be travelling for next Wednesday’s World Cup qualifier. He said the game against Sweden will be a very dificult match for the national team but still hopes that the team could obtain a good result, concluding with an appeal for support. 
Malta’s opponents on Friday – Cape Verde, are ranked 114th in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking. The squad at the disposal of coach José Rui Aguiar are: 
goalkeepers Fredson Tavares ‘Fock’ (CS Mindelense), Ernesto Soares (AD Carregado – POR);
defenders Ricardo Silva (Paços Ferreira – POR), Pedro Cardoso ‘Pelé’ (West Brom – ENG), Adilson Monteiro ‘Nhambu’ (CS Mindelense), Fernando Neves ‘Nando’ (Banik Ostrava – CZE);
midfielders Odysseu Ramos ‘Guy Ramos’ (CFC Dordrecht – NED), Marco Soares (CUD Leiria – POR), Victor Moreno (CUD Leiria – POR), Dário Furtado (CSporting C. da Praia), Valter Borges (CCD Santa Clara – POR), Walder Amado ‘Roni’ (CF91 Dudelange – LUX), Adilson Araújo ‘Gerson’ (CA. Académica da Praia), Elvis Macedo ‘Babanco’ (CSporting C. Praia) Pedro Moreira (CGD Fátima – POR);
forwards Cláudio Aguiar ‘Lito’ (CA. Académica Coimbra – POR), Rodirley Duarte ‘Rodi’ (CF.C. Porto – POR), Eduardo Gomes ‘Dady’ (CCA Osasuna – ESP), Heldon Ramos (CGD Fàtima – POR).
The match will be controlled by Italian referee Luca Banti who will be assisted by assistant referees Philip Agius and Edward Spiteri and fourth official Chris Lautier.
Meanwhile for the Under-21 side, the game against Belgium, this will be the third match from the UEFA Under-21 qualifiers following a 0-2 defeat to Slovenia at the Hibs Ground in March and a narrow 1-0 defeat to Ukraine away from home last June. However last month, Edwin Camilleri’s side came from behind to beat Albania 2-1 in a friendly match in Durres. For Belgium, this will be the first game in the group.
The Belgian squad is made up of:
goalkeepers Cyprien Baguette (Charleroi), Jo Coppens (Cercle Bruges), Simon Mignolet (St. Truidense);
defenders Naim Aarab (Larissa), Bart Biemans (Willem II), Jeremy Huyghebaert (Roeslare), Denis Odoi (St. Truidense), Daan Van Gijseghem (Excelsior Mouscron), Anthony Van Loo (Roeslare);
midfielders Mehdi Carcela Gonzales (Standard Liege), David Hubert (Genk), Herve Kage (Charleroi), Ritchie Kitoko (Udinese), Sven Kums (Kortrijk), Radja Nainggolan (Piacenza), Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe (Club Brugge), Vittorio Villano (Tubize), Stijn (PSV);
forwards Brecht Capon (Kortrijk), Romelu Lukaku (Anderlecht), Bia Mujangi (Charleroi), Joachim Mununga (Mechelen), Jell Vossen (Genk).
The match, which kicks-off at 18:00, will be controlled by officials from Moldova, namely referee Igor Satchi, assistant referees Vitalli Gorbatov ans Serghei Trofan and fourth official Veaceslav Banari.
Speaking on behalf of the South End Core, Louis Agius said the group’s preparation was in full swing, not only for the Sweden game but also for Friday’s matches. He said that unfortunately, attendance for friendly matches is usually low although the players also need local fans’ backing in such matches. He said a pre-party before Malta vs Sweden will be held at the University campus from where transport will be provided to Ta’ Qali.
Tickets for Malta ‘A’ vs Cape Verde and Malta U-21 vs Belgium will be available on the day from the gates prior to kick-off. Ticket prices will be as follows:
Millennium Stand A – Males €5; Women, children and senior citizens ticket €4 
West Stand A & C – Males ticket €8; Women, children and senior citizens ticket: €4Malta vs SwedenTickets are available from the following outlets as from today from:
Geraldu Kiosk – Valletta
Star Tourism – Bugibba
Eros Stationery – Paceville
Teamsport – Iklin
Gym at the Millennium Stand, Ta Qali
MFA Offices, Ta Qali.
Tickets will only be available on Match Day from the stadium selling points prior to kick-off depending on availibility. 
South End Core tickets are on sale from the following outlets for €5: Teamsport Iklin, Rookies – Bugibba, Badger Karting – Ta’ Qali, Dual Zone – Paola, Star Services – Bugibba, Extra Time – Mosta, 47 Summernights – Marsascala, Cafe Matteo – Valletta, KSU – University Campus, Zmerc Pub – Balzan or or ticket hotline 7940 3309.
A Public Transport service will be provided for the supporters from City Gate (outside Valletta), direct to the National Stadium at Ta’ Qali, starting at 17:00. Return service from the National Stadium to Valletta at the end of the match starting at around 21:00hrs. 
The gates at the National Stadium will be open to the public two hours prior to match kick-off – that is at 16:30. Prior to the match, starting at 17:15, the MFA will be providing entertainment for the public present at the stadium.
Malta vs Sweden kicks-off at 18:30 and will be controlled by referees from Northern Ireland namely, referee Adrian Mc Court, assistant referees John Mc Dowell and Paul Munn and fourth official David Malcolm.